Page 23 of Katie 3

As we wind up the drive, dark thoughts threaten me. Carter parks and kills the engine. He gets out and opens my door before I can move.

“Come on, let’s get inside,” he says, voice soft, almost pleading. I think both of us would do anything to avoid talking about the mess we’re in. Brad thumps up the steps behind us, then disappears into the master suite without a word.

I put my bag down as Carter hovers beside me. “We’ll be okay,” he says. “You’ll see.”

“Will we?”

He edges closer, his lips ghosting over my skin. “Yeah, we will. And even if nothing else, you’ll be okay. That’s the only thing that matters.”

I want to ask him if he truly believes that, or if he’s just echoing what Henry said. But I don’t. I just let him hold me and try not to think about what comes next.

“I’m going to my room,” I whisper and draw away from his touch. My ribs tense and the urge to sob almost wins. The fear settles. The trial is going to happen. I’m sure of it. And I’ll be put on the stand. They can’t ask what they want to ask—I can’t betray Brad.

I linger with that thought in the hallway outside the bedrooms. I turn the knob of the guest room, the one I’ve always claimed as mine, the one between Carter’s and Brad’s.

“You’re not sleeping there,” Carter says, stopping me before I can slip inside the room.

I turn, heart skipping, and he’s right there, arms crossed, blue eyes teasingly watching me.

“Why not?” I ask.

He doesn’t bother with a reason, just tips his head down the hall. “Come on. You’re with us this week. Not alone.”

A smile tugs on my lips and a flutter inside my stomach warms me as he steers me toward the master suite. Light from the big window spills across the hardwood floor as Brad sits shirtless on the bed, flipping through his phone like the coming events won’t happen at all. He glances up as we enter, then tosses the phone aside and sits up.

Carter’s hand stays on my back, warm and insistent. “We’re staying together. All of us.”

I look between them, waiting and wondering if this is truly happening. They’ve always given me space, space I never wanted. Or is Carter doing this with the knowledge Brad might go to…? I shake my head, erasing the heavy thought.

“You okay?” Brad asks, voice almost gentle.

“Of course not!” My throat is thick; tears threaten to spill.

Brad reaches for my hand, his palm rough, familiar. “One way or another, we’ll be fine.”

“Fine?” I scoff. “How can it be fine?”

“Let us take care of you. We’ll help you forget,” Brad teases.

“For a little while,” Carter adds.

I step away from their touch, needing the space. They can’t lure me in and expect me to forget what’s about to happen.

“That won’t fix anything,” I snap. “What if I say the wrong thing? What if…” I bite down on the rest, but my body is already shaking.

“Katie,” Carter says, soft but with that steel behind it. “You survived worse than this.” It isn’t true, but I want to believe it.

They’re both staring at me, and I know what they’re thinking: distraction is a kindness. Or at least a last resort. I’m supposed to be grateful, or want it, but all I want is to not think about tomorrow, or the potential trial, or the way my life has slipped out of my hands.

“I can’t just let it go.” My voice cracks and Brad closes the distance. His arms trails around my waist. A soft smile rests on his full lips as he circles me until his bare chest is pressed against my back.

“You don’t have to. But you also don’t have to do it alone.” He kisses my neck, gentle and slow. His hand comes up and cups my jaw, turning me so I’m forced to see him over my shoulder. “Let us help.”

“I don’t want to forget,” I say, but already my legs are a little weaker. He grins, that sly, wicked look.

“Who said anything about forgetting?” Carter’s hand finds mine, thumb stroking my wrist. “We’ll remind you what’s real.”

I’m torn, but as their feather-light touches dance over my skin, I dare to let myself fall.

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